Operation will continue,says COAS

SWAT - Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Friday remarked that the ongoing military operation in Swat was in right direction and would continue till elimination of last terrorist in the area. Addressing a gathering of Army personnel and elders of the area in the scenic Kalam Valley, General Kayani said the charm of the scenic Swat Valley would be returned in the next couple of weeks. He said that no one could undermine the sacrifices of the people of Swat in the ongoing military operation against militants. He said that Pak Army had dismantled all the hideouts of the militants and it was its prime responsibility to protect the life and property of the masses and fight against the miscreants till their complete elimination. Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff inaugurated Sabaon Public School wherein all the arrested terrorist children would be imparted quality education. Agencies add: The Army Chief made it clear that without the masses support, the backbone of the militants could not be broken. He was of the view that the Army men were determined to scarify their lives for the sake of the country. Meanwhile, one terrorist was killed and eight others voluntarily surrendered to security forces during search and clearance operations that continued in parts of Swat and Malakand. According to ISPR statement here Friday, in Swat six terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Salhand. Security forces conducted search operation at Piochar and killed one terrorist. Security forces conducted search operation at Mingora and apprehended 2 suspects. Security forces conducted search operation at Derai and Damghar, near Kanju and apprehended 7 suspects. Two terrorists voluntarily surrendered at Shah Dehri.Regarding relief activities, as many as 286,754 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand.